For the record 1 March

01-03-2007

by Cian Ginty

Yahoo exec says Ireland needs better broadband | Lenovo issues battery recall

Ireland needs to tackle its broadband penetration or risk economic downturn, warned a senior figure at Yahoo on Thursday. Miles Lewis, head of sales at Yahoo UK and Ireland, was speaking at the National Marketing Conference organised by The Marketing Institute of Ireland. "Ideally, when it comes to internet development and commitment, Ireland should be setting an example for the rest of Europe but instead it is lagging behind, and while this has not significantly impacted the economy to date it, seems it is bound to in the medium to long-term," he said.

AIB bank has redesigned its homepage. The company said the upgrade is the first part of a major redesign for its website which won the Best Consumer Website at the recent 2007 Digital Media Awards. AIB reported that more than 40 million visitors accessed its website last year, one third more than the previous year. The bank said 7 million of its online visitors were looking for information on buying banking products. In 2006, 13 percent of the company's personal loans were taken out online. AIB expects to sell 90 percent of its travel insurance online this year, and 25 percent all products over the next three years.

Online recruitment firm IrishJobs.ie used Thursday's Work Life Balance Day 2007 to advise that changes in work practice would require a "change in culture". Results from a recent survey by the London School of Economics showed that well managed firms worked 'smarter', rather then 'harder'. "The IrishJobs.ie Childcare Survey revealed a call for choice and options in the area of childcare choice and quality of life are inextricably linked," said Valerie Sorohan, marketing manager at IrishJobs.

An online network at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin will give sick children access to communication with their families, as well as other children at the hospital. The Solas network -- to be launched next week by broadcaster Ryan Tubridy -- was developed by Trinity College's Centre for Health Informatics. The secure internet connection in wards will allow sick children to use e-mail, video conferencing and online chat to keep in touch with parents and friends when staying in the hospital.

Organisers of the 2007 Irish Blog Awards in Dublin are working with inhabitants of online virtual world Second Life. A formal ball inside Second Life will emulate the upcoming awards at the Alexander Hotel in Dublin. Awards organiser Damien Mulley said votes for the shortlist came from over 60 countries, with about 40 percent of the vote originating from outside Ireland. The Irish Blog Awards take place 3 March with all entrance fees going to the Irish Epilepsy Association's Brainwave charity.

UPC Ireland's, NTL's and Chorus' parent company Liberty Global issued its 2006 financial results on Thursday. The firm, which claims nearly 600,000 Irish customers, said it added an average of over 500 broadband customers per week last year. Liberty Global reported a 30,000 increase in broadband subscriptions in Ireland in 2006, a 121 percent increase on the previous year. TV subscriptions were up 18,000, or 3 percent.

Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo has issued a battery recall expected to affect around 205,000 customers. The laptop models affected are the R60, R60e, T60, T60p, Z60m, Z61e, Z61m, and Z61p. The move was said to be in the interest of public safety due to possible overheating, and the company will offer replacements free of charge. Users with the affected systems are advised to remove their battery and only power their computers with an AC adapter and power cord.

Commuter manufactor Dell has appointed a new boss for Europe, according to Zd Net UK News. David Marmonti has taken up the position of president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa region.